The concert of Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, to be held on Monday 3 August, will this year include a tribute to Paul Asciak, who passed away earlier this year. It was Mr Asciak who took Mr Calleja under his wing and kick-started his career.

This year, renowned international singer Anastasia as well as local band Red Elecrtric will join the tenor on stage. As previous years, The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the children’s choir will also participate.

A teaser of this year’s national concert was given during a concert in Germany yesterday, for which 18,000 people attended. It was aired live on Germany’s national television station NDR.

The concert in Malta will also be aired by Sky Arts as well as other television channels in Italy and Scandinavia among others, providing for promotion of the Maltese islands.

Addressing a press conference, the tenor said that the event remains his favourite of the year, despite travelling to several renowned theatres in the world.

Proceeds from the concert will go for the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation. “ I want to use the art to make the world a better place,” he explained. The foundation focuses on unprivileged children with innovative, distinctive or unique artistic abilities.

Entrance is free for the standing area and seated tickets start from €80.